Game Preview: Wizards vs. Jazz

Preview

The Wizards look to pick up their first win of the season on Saturday night as they host the Jazz at Verizon Center (7:00 pm | TV: CSN | Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM).

The Jazz will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back, as they lost last night, 99-93, in Philadelphia. This means the Wizards will want to capitalize on the Jazz early and take advantage of them playing two games in two days.

The Jazz are one of the biggest teams in the NBA as they start four players 6'8 or taller. They love to play the game inside out and stopping the Jazz bigs; Al Jefferson and Paul Milsap, will be key for the Wizards to get this win.

For the Wizards, they will want to use their speed and quickness to counter the Jazz big lineup. We could see the Wiz shake up their lineup to try and get the team out of their current rut, which Randy Wittman alluded to on Friday. Regardless of the lineup, the Wizards will need to execute their offense for the full 48 minutes if they want to beat this Jazz team.

The action kicks off at 7:00 pm on CSN or listen live on 106.7 FM/1500 AM.

Wizards (0-7)

vs.

Jazz (4-6)

88.1

PPG

99.9

41.3

RPG

45.2

23.1

APG

21.1

.407

FG%

.441

.448

OPP FG%

.436

.309

3PT FG%

.352

.733

FT%

.746

16.3

TO

15.6

0-7

Last 10

4-6

Tonight's Hot Player: Jordan Crawford

Key Matchup

Emeka Okafor

vs.

Al Jefferson

8.4

PPG

15.0

6.0

RPG

11.8

2.3

BPG

0.9

.421

FG%

.441

Stopping Al Jefferson in the paint will be one of the keys to tonight's game and Emeka Okafor will be one of the guys to do that. He has proven to be a stopper in the middle, averaging over 2 blocks per game. Jefferson has an array of post moves and can score in a variety of ways, but if Okafor can stand his ground and keep Jefferson off the glass, the Wizards will be in good shape.

The battle on the boards in general will be something to watch in this one, as the Jazz enter tonight 5th in the NBA in rebounding.

In the below clip from last season, Emeka Okafor establishes his position down low and scores over Al Jefferson. This will be key tonight, as Jefferson is not known for his defensive ability.

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In this clip, Al Jefferson works one of his favorite moves on Emeka Okafor, the right handed jump-hook.